JONATHAN KIRSHNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Stories: Family Matters

"With each challenge you face, you face it together," Marianne Arrrington said.

For Marianne and her husban Kevin, the past several months have been the most stressful period of their marriage. Five years into their union, the couple is faced with postpartum depression, the loss of a job, and a cross-country move.

Their commitment to each other and their family is of the greatest importance. With a dedication to the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints, they form a family that is designed ot nurture and develop intelligent and healthy children. Words and food are picked carefully and love distributed in order to develop their sons Anthony, 1 1/2 and Ethan, two months.

"Every couple is going to have problems," Marianne said. "Either you can let that problem tear at you or you can find a way to bring you closer together."

"With each challenge you face, you face it together," Marianne Arrrington said.For Marianne and her husban Kevin, the past several months have been the most stressful period of their marriage. Five years into their union, the couple is faced with postpartum depression, the loss of a job, and a cross-country move. Their commitment to each other and their family is of the greatest importance. With a dedication to the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints, they form a family that is designed ot nurture and develop intelligent and healthy children. Words and food are picked carefully and love distributed in order to develop their sons Anthony, 1 1/2 and Ethan, two months."Every couple is going to have problems," Marianne said. "Either you can let that problem tear at you or you can find a way to bring you closer together."With their newborn and 1 1/2 year-old sons both asleep, the effects of postpartum depression show on Marianne as she seeks comfort and support from Kevin.
   
Family prayer and scripture reading is part of their daily routine. While reading from the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Anthony wanted to hold his new brother.
   
Marianne holds Ethan after church service. The Arringtons decided that it will be Marianne's responsibility to care for the children while Kevin works during the day. The president and apostles of the church have a proclamation that speaks directly about how families should live.
     
  
Marianne believes the stress from the birth, Kevin's job, and their upcoming move, manifests itseld in the children's behavior.
   
The demands of parenting for two children take their toll on Marianne.
   
Tired and emotional, Anthony wraps his arms around Kevin. The roles each parent played varied and shifted during this period.
     
  
Kevin and Marianne find time for affection while packing for their move to Utah. They hope to go dancing for the first time in months once they settle in Utah.
   
After reading about The Continuance Theory, Marianne and Kevin decided it woud be best if their children slept with them in bed during the first few months of their lives.
   
With their home in the background, Anthony and Kevin play in the Autumn leaves one last time before their move.
     
  
The sound of ABBA fills the living room as Marianne and Ethan dance to the song "Take A Chance On Me."
   
Kevin and Marianne finish putting the last of their items into the truck that Kevin will drive to Utah.
   
Late at night with the children asleep, Kevin shows signs of exhaustion after packing all day.
     
  
"Let your problems bring you closer," Marianne said. "You wonder how in Earth are we going to do this but, you find a way to work through it."
   
Kevin and Anthony wave goodbye to Marianne and Ethan. In a week the family will be together again in Utah.